Sunday 27th March 

Buncrana Credit Union Cup Semi Finals 

Illies Celtic 2

Greencastle FC3AET

Greencastle started well and both Jamie McCormick and Nigel McMonagle fired efforts over the bar. Illies responded and took the lead on 19 minutes after a Brendan Grant cross cum shot sailed over Jason McCallion to the net. The visitors tried to respond straight away when Ciaran Diver burst into the area and squared for McCormick but he blazed over.

Illies then stunned the visitors when Grant turned a defender and crossed for Liam Grant who controlled and volleyed superbly to the net. Greencastle exerted late pressure before the break but failed to trouble Johnathan Noone. Greencastle came out fired up after the break and reduced the deficit  on the hour mark after great work by McMonagle saw him pull the ball back for Jack Coyle to steer low past Noone.

Both McMonagle and McCormick then failed to hit the target when well placed before they equalised on 83 minutes. McMonagle this time beat two defenders  before drilling low to the corner from sixteen yards. But the home side almost snatched in at the death after a Brendan Doherty cross was headed off the line by Michael Barr. The visitors took the lead in the first half of extra time when great work on the left by McMonagle saw his deep cross headed home by McCormick.

Illies responded  in the second half and when keeper McCallion punched a Liam Doherty cross out it fell to Paul Doherty  but he fired over the bar and Greencastle advance to a second cup final.

Aileach FC2

Glengad United3

This game started very evenly with most of the play condensed in the middle third and neither keeper overly troubled. With 20 minutes  on the clock the away side took the lead when a cross from the right deceived McLaughlin in the home goal and somehow ended up in the net.

Within five minutes Aileach were level when a long clearance caused confusion in the Glengad defence and Darren McMonagle capitalised scoring into an empty net. As half time approached Glengad regained the lead after  Lee McColgan crossed for Conor Barrow to finish well from fifteen yards with a side foot volley. 

Aileach began the second half well and  Aaron Nash found Darren McMonagle who brought a fine save from Daniel Mullarkey low to his right. Midway through the half  Aileach equalised after  Darren McMonagle was taken down on the edge of the box and Paddy Slevin fired the resulting free high past Mullarkey.

Aileach pressed again when Gareth McElroy broke down the right and crossed for Killian O’Rourke to head goalwards but Mullarkey again did well to deny the midfielder’s effort. The home side were well on top at this stage and Mullarkey again came to the rescue denying Mark McElhinney whose header from a corner looked destined for the net, the keeper somehow managed to get a hand to the ball.

With extra time looking likely an Aileach free kick was cleared and Terence Doherty raced clear to slide the ball under McLaughlin to grab the winner.

Promotion /Relegation Play Off  

Carn FC2

Culdaff FC4

In beautiful conditions at Maginn Park as expected this was a hard fought close affair with few chances in the first half. Culdaff had an early chance when Ben Curley slipped the ball into Jack McLaughlin who turned well and fired goalwards first time but Kyle Harkin made a superb reaction save.

Carn responded on 29 minutes after Cade Cooke cut in from the left and crossed for Kyran Cantwell who controlled  well but saw his effort saved by Martin Mclaughlin. A minute later Cooke again cut in from the left and fed Christopher Diver on the right but he fired past McLaughlins right hand post.

Before the break Culdaff  had a half chance when Aiden Cunningham laid the ball inside to Bryan McCandless  but his effort lacked the power to beat Harkin. Culdaff took the lead on 47 minutes after Jack O Brien ‘s corner was allowed to bounce and Ryan Greene controlled on his chest to volley home.

Carn replied and 59 minutes substitute Cian Burke crossed from the right but Cantwell failed to get a header on it. A minute later Cade Cooke broke into  the area on the left but fired wildly across goal and wide. Play swung to the other end and when McCandless forced a corner on the left Aiden Cunninghams inswinging corner found Greene to head  to the net to leave the Caratra side two nil up.

But Carn hit back and reduced the deficit after an inswinging free from the right from Cian Doherty found the unmarked Christopher Diver to head home from six yards. Carn pressed and Cantwell created space on the edge of the area but dragged his effort wide.

At the other end Cunningham won possession on the edge of the box but his cross just eluded the outstretched leg of Jack McLaughlin well placed in front of goal. Carn responded and when substitute Liam McWeeney collected a clearance from a corner on the left and curled a ball into the centre where another substitute Cian Burke flicked  the ball past McLaughlin to leave it two all.

Culdaff regained the lead within minutes when Jack Mclaughlin raced onto a ball over the top he lifted  it over the advancing Harkin and was upended allowing Aiden Cunningham to superbly slot low to the keepers left and restore the Culdaff sides lead.

Carn had a glorious chance on 89 minute after McWeeneys cross from the right was volleyed wide by Cantwell at the back post. They pushed forward and when  Greene headed a corner clear on 90 minutes Cunningham fed Jack Mclaughlin who advanced into the area and curled a superb effort into the bottom left hand corner and guarantee promotion for the Caratra men.

Hannon Greene Insurances Fr O Gara Cup ¼ Finals 

Illies Res3

Redcastle United  5 AET

The home side got off to a perfect start when they opened the scoring on 5 minutes after a deep cross from Gavin Doherty on the left found John Pio Donaghey to head past Michael McCole to the roof of the net.

But Redcastle hit back and equalised after Shaun Currans free kick was headed back across goal by Darragh McConway for Gavin Grant to head home.Illies regained the lead midway through the half after Dominic Doherty headed home Marty Coyles free kick.

Donaghey then had two chances to increase the home sides lead but on both occasions McCole was able to tip the ball over the bar. Redcastle had a great chance on the restart after McConway pulled the ball back for  Ronan Hoy but he fired straight at  Doherty when well placed.

The game descended into a midfield battle until the 80th minute when a defensive error allowed Hoy gain possession and race through to fire low to the net. On the stroke of full time Illies almost snatched it after another Gavin Doherty cross found Donaghey who elected to head across goal  when he should have went for goal and extra time ensued.Redcastle  started extra time smartly and took the lead in the second minute after substitute Cathal Crumlish cut the ball back for Grant to fire home from twelve yards.

Before the break they increased the lead to four two when Hoy converted a penalty after he had been upended. Illies regrouped  and in the second period were awarded a penalty after Nathan Mclaughlin was fouled  but Liam O Connor s spot kick was superbly saved by McCole.

They got a goal back minutes later when Donagheys cross deflected off a defender past McCole to make it four three. With the home side pressing for an equaliser Redcastle broke and sealed the tie after Grant raced through the home defence to finish well.

QPS4

Carn Res2

Carn had  the first chance  when Aaron McCarron saw a header claimed at the second attempt by Oisin Burke. The point replied and took the lead after a Ross Nicholas free deflected off a defender to the net.

Another Nicholas free then deceived Daniel McDaid in the Carn goal to make it two nil on 13 minutes. Carn responded and McCarron fired just wide before after a good three man move ended when Conan Gibbons fired superbly across Burke to the far corner.

Denim McLaughlin then had a header brilliantly saved by Burke. But the home side ended the half strongly with Darragh McDermott firing  over and then seeing a header clip the bar. On 44 minutes they made it three one after Nicholas fired a twenty two yards free around the wall to the bottom corner.

The point had the first attempt on goal after the restart with Josh Boyle advancing only to see his effort saved by  McDaid. The visitors hot back and reduced the deficit to the minimum after Gert Dzerins capitalised on a defensive mix up  to fire low to the corner from the edge of the area.

The home side upped the tempo at this stage with David Healy seeing an effort cleared off the line before an Oisin Lynch effort deflected off a defender and onto the bar and over. Lynch was then denied by a superb blocking save from McDaid who also done well to tip McDermotts header onto the top of the bar.

The Point sealed the tie in the 89th minute when McDermott converted a penalty low to McDaids right hand side after he had been upended.

Inishowen Engineering Division Two  A 

Cockhill Res5

Carrowmena FC4

Carrowmena raced into a three  goal lead inside the first 20 minutes catching Cockhill cold who were very slow to get into this match. Two fine finishes from Ronan Doherty and one from Sean Diver left Cockhill with a big job on their hands to get anything from this match.

A goal from Cockhill’s Luke Bradley midway through the first half settled Cockhill as they gradually grew into the match and shortly before half time they reduced the deficit again with a great finish from Mark Gillespie into the top corner from the edge of the box to make it 3 – 2 to Carrowmena at half-time.

Cockhill were well in the game now and on the front foot from the start of the second half and equalised 10 minutes in with a cute finish from Luke Bradley running on to a through ball from Jay Bradley he lifted it over the on rushing Carrowmena keeper, Mickey Noone to draw the teams level.

Cockhill continued to press and deservedly got themselves in front with a composed finish from Dylan McDaid, his first time effort from a Cian Downey cross gave Mickey Noone no chance. Cockhill continued to dominate and gave themselves a two goal cushion with 15 to go when Connor McDaid was quickest to react when the ball rebounded off the post from a Cockhill corner as he prodded home from six yards.

Carrowmena rallied and got themselves right back in the match with a quick break, Ronan Doherty found himself in on goal but Shaun Friel denied him with a great save but the ball fell kindly to Gerard McLaughlin who managed to slide it home under pressure to set up a tense finish with five minutes left but Cockhill held on for a remarkable comeback win at home.

Rasheney  FC2

Sea Rovers 1

Rovers had an early chance on 3 minutes after Keelan Doherty released Daniel Gallagher on the right but he fired across the face of goal and wide. Rasheney responded and took the lead in the 7th minute after Cormac Dillon was upended in the area  allowing Declan McLaughlin  to convert a penalty low past Ben Collins who got a hand to the ball.

Rasheney were on top for the remainder of the half with Eoin McLaughlin firing over  from ten yards before a dangerous John Mclaughlin cross found no takers. Before the break McLaughlin then saw a low drive well turned round the post by Collins and from the corner Shane Collins failed to force the loose ball home from point blank range.

Rasheney increased their lead on 51 minutes after Mclaughlins cross found Conor McDaid who controlled before drilling low past Collins. The game developed into a scrappy affair then for a period until Rovers pressed in the final ten minutes. David Gallagher had an effort well saved by Roger McGilloway.

Then on 82 minutes they got a goal back when Andrew Gallagher converted a penalty after he had been upended. But Rasheney had the final chance when Collins tipped McLaughlins low drive around the post.

Inishowen Engineering Division Two B   

Culdaff  Res0

Moville Res3

Both sides had a couple of chances in a scoreless first half at Caratra Park on Friday evening. Movilles Ronan Doherty had an effort well saved by Dermott Callaghan in the home goal. The good play from Lorcan Gillen and Michael McCarron on the left saw Gillens cross find John Harkin whose effort whistled just wide.

For Culdaff a great crossfield pass from Darragh McCormick found Dean Doherty but he fired just over the bar. Before the break a long clearance from John Mclaughlin was seized on by Dean Doherty who fired straight at Stephen Telles when well placed. Moville opened the scoring on 51 minutes after substitute Danny Murphy fed a through ball into the path of Ronan McCarron who fired to the roof of the net.

Culdaff responded and McCormicks goalbound free was brilliantly saved by Telles before substitute Paddy McCarron fired wide from a tight angle. With the home side pressing for an equaliser Moville broke and Murphy latched onto a ball over the top to slide it past Callaghan. They sealed the points  in injury time after another quick break saw Ronan McCarron release Murphy to slot home low past Callaghan.

Inishowen Engineering Division Two      

Buncrana Res2

Dunree Res0

The home side started well and Cillian Downey and Christy McKinley both had efforts saved  by Philip Doherty in the Dunree goal.

They went close again on 33 minutes after Eoin McNamee s cross found Stephen MvHugh whose header crashed off the post. But McHugh finally broke the deadlock when he evaded two tackles and fired  to the top corner. The home side increased their lead ten minutes after the break when McHugh headed home Michael Doherty s corner on 55 minutes.

Dunree responded and David Eccles just failed to apply the finshing touch at the back post before Shaun Doherty had a free kick saved by Oran McBride. Home substitutes  Jack Soal and McGonagle combined late on but the latter fired over the bar.

Aileach Youths7

Rasheney Res 1

Aileach started well with Paddy Curran taking a good save from Fergal Diver before  they opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Ciaran Bradley headed home a Dylan McGrory free.

Rasheney replied with Ryan Doherty firing narrowly wide. Before the break Curran was then denied in a one on one situation by a fine save from Diver. The floodgates opened after the break however with McGrory scoring direct from a corner before Ryan Long played a one two with Aaron Doherty and finished well to make it three nil.

Paddy Curran added a quickfire hat trick then the first a looping header before running onto McGrorys through ball and slotting home and finally tapping in from close range after good work from Aaron Doherty.

Rasheney battled back and got a consolation on 77 minutes when OJ Cuffe headed home Ryan Doherty s free. But the home side ended strongly and Ethan O Toole had a penalty brilliantly saved by Diver before in the final action Aaron Doherty converted a penalty after O’Toole had been upended.

• Inishowen League Tables 2021-22

• Jackie Crossan Premier Division

P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Greencastle FC	15	13	0	2	42	13	39
Aileach FC	14	11	0	3	44	14	33
Glengad United	13	9	1	3	31	13	28
Buncrana Hearts	15	9	1	5	31	18	28
Cockhill Celtic Youths	16	8	2	6	31	35	26
Illies Celtic	14	4	4	6	17	18	16
Clonmany Shamrocks	16	3	4	9	21	45	13
Moville Celtic	16	3	3	10	19	40	12

Carn FC

16

0

1

15

19

54

1

• Strand Hotel First Division

P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Aileach RES ©	16	12	4	0	45	20	40
Culdaff FC	16	11	2	3	57	23	35
QPS	16	8	3	5	42	31	27
Clonmany RES	15	9	0	6	41	36	27
Redcastle United	14	6	2	6	34	25	19
Dunree United	15	6	0	9	22	30	18
Gleneely Colts	16	4	3	9	23	38	15
Greencastle Youths	14	1	2	10	19	48	8
Glengad Res	14	1	2	11	19	44	5

Congratulations to Aileach Res on winning the league title.

Inishowen Engineering Division Two

P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Carrowmena FC	12	10	1	1	56	26	31
Buncrana Res	12	9	0	3	37	21	26
Rasheney FC	12	8	0	4	35	18	24
Illies Res	12	7	2	3	23	16	23
Cockhill Res	12	6	3	3	40	18	21
Carn Res	12	6	1	5	43	33	19
Sea Rovers	12	5	3	4	29	26	18
Moville Res	12	5	1	6	23	28	16
Clonmany Youths	12	3	2	7	27	38	11
Aileach Youths	12	4	2	6	24	32	14
Culdaff Res	12	2	2	8	21	35	8
Rasheney RES	12	2	1	9	6	44	7
Dunree Res	12	1	2	9	18	40	5

Inishowen Engineering  Division  Two  A

P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Carrowmena FC	18	11	2	5	65	38	35
Rasheney FC	18	11	1	6	46	31	34
Buncrana Res	15	11	0	4	47	26	33
Illies Res	15	9	3	3	28	18	30
Sea Rovers	17	9	3	5	45	36	30
Cockhill Res	18	8	5	5	53	34	29
Carn Res	17	6	2	9	49	47	20

Inishowen Engineering  Division  Two  B

P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Clonmany Youths	20	8	3	9	44	52	27
Aileach Youths	18	8	3	7	42	46	27
Moville Res	17	8	2	7	39	38	26
Dunree Res	20	4	4	12	33	66	16
Culdaff Res	19	4	2	13	30	52	14
Rasheney RES	20	3	2	15	12	58	11

Inishowen Football League Fixtures 2021-22

Sunday 3rd April

Ulster Junior Cup Semi Finals ET & Pens 2pm

Buncrana Hearts v Glengad United

Warren Harvey assisted by Liam Porter & JJ Lafferty

Jackie Crossan Premier Division 2pm

Aileach FC v Illies Celtic T Moloney

Hannon Greene Insurances Fr O Gara Cup ¼ Finals 2pm

Culdaff FC v Rasheney FC G McLaughlin

Strand Hotel First Division 11am

Clonmany Res v Dunree United T Moyne

Greencastle Youth v Redcastle United E Doherty

Inishowen Engineering Division Two A 11am

Carn Res v Carrowmena FC T O Loughlin

Illies Res v Sea Rovers M McGonigle

Cockhill Res v Buncrana Res D McLaughlin

Inishowen Engineering Division Two B 11am

Clonmany Youth v Culdaff Res P McElhinney

Rasheney Res v Moville Res J P Houten

Dunree Res v Aileach Youth G O Kane